The Exorcist is 50 years old: William Friedkin’s cult film can be seen again on 4K blu-ray
William Friedkin’s timeless masterpiece is recently available in a collector’s edition.
On December 26, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Exorcist. The Warner Bros. studio. announced, well before the creator’s disappearance William Friedkin, full of releases in 2023 to celebrate its 100th anniversary! And among the firm’s essential works, there is this film which has been given a facelift.
Tribute to William Friedkin: “Making a film is very mechanical!”
Last October, a five-disc collector’s box set was released including the Director’s Cut version in 4K and Blu-Ray, the Cinema version in 4K and Blu-Ray as well as numerous bonuses. Among the supplements, the box set contains commentaries by Friedkin as well as the producer and screenwriter William Peter Blatty (author of the original novel), documentaries on the film and a report on Georgetown, the city of the filming. The bonuses also include a documentary on the different versions of The Exorcist as well as the original novel.
The Exorcist is a cult horror thriller telling the story of a young girl possessed by a demon and her desperate mother who calls on two priests. The first, young, is rather skeptical and is going through a crisis in his faith. The second, older, is very pious and unshakeable in his belief in divine forces.
The film is ranked 3rd best thriller by the American Film Institute. When it was released at the end of 1973, it won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay as well as 4 Golden Globes including best dramatic film and best director. Its very complicated production was recounted in detail by the filmmaker in The Exorcist by William FriedkinA excellent documentary by Alexandre O. Philippe.
In addition to the five-disc Steelbook, the box set also includes six postcards, a reversible poster, a reversible bookmark and a 40-page French booklet. It has been available since October 11, 2023.
Damien Chazelle pays tribute to William Friedkin in Venice
